The Northern Mozambique Channel (NMC) region is one of the world’s outstanding marine biodiversity areas and a biological reservoir for all East African coastal areas and the Indian Ocean at large. The natural and economic assets of the NMC will emerge as drivers of national and regional development on a scale not previously realised in East Africa, from living assets, hydrocarbons and human resources, and place unprecedented strain on ecosystems and natural resources.

The Northern Mozambique Channel partnership is emerging, and will involve countries, civil society and the private sector with the goal to deliver a sustainable blue economy that preserves and builds the wealth of the region across the natural, social, and economic capitals. Its long term vision, that “the people, countries and economies of the Northern Mozambique Channel prosper in a sustainable future founded on the natural and cultural assets and diversity of the region” is concordant with Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals.

National consultations in the Western Indian Ocean from February to May 2017 culminated in a regional workshop involving 7 countries of the region, that identified 4 themes and 3 cross-cutting themes modelled on the priorities and commitments being submitted for the Oceans Conference:

These relate to the voluntary commitment "Regional Partnership for Implementing SDG14 in the Western Indian Ocean" led by the Nairobi Convention (#15788), adding technical detail under the themes identified in that commitment. This voluntary commitment elaborates deliverable 3 of #15788, and is submitted by NGO partners to support the countries in the implementation of their priorities within the Northern Mozambique Channel, through our upcoming projects and resource mobilisation efforts. The SDG 14 Oceans Conference will serve as a key milestone from which the national commitments made by the countries of the region, as well as joint commitments at a regional level, will form the foundation for the implementation of partnership activities in the Northern Mozambique Channel.

Progress reports

December 2021

A regional Integrated Ocean Management (IOM) and Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) framework for the NMC has been developed and validated by countries and partners through a multi-stakeholder process.

December 2021

Community livelihoods and wellbeing are incrementally secured through the sharing and replication of best practices in community-based marine resource management and in links between environment and community health.

December 2021

A broad-scale partnership is achieved across multiple sectors and countries, bringing together the stakeholders in the Northern Mozambique Channel in a transparent and cooperative system.

December 2030

Leading countries and sectors in the NMC implement a Blue Economy approach to development that valorizes natural and social assets of the NMC.

Financing (in USD)

1,000,000 USD

Other, please specify

LIkely funding pipeline (5 years), approx. USD 6 million

In-kind contribution

To be counted - country and partner actions and projects within the geography of the project region